High temperatures, sun, and the anticipation of being outdoors — the water was the cool place to be during the July Fourth holiday weekend, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers stayed busy patrolling the state’s lakes, rivers and streams.

Statewide, officers contacted more than 15,700 boaters in less than 72 hours.

“We had an open, increased patrol presence on the water during peak boating hours to let people know we were there,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Our goal during holiday patrols is to be involved with communities and respond to water incidents such as search-and-rescue, marine accidents, and complaints of reckless boating. We hope that a visible presence will help prevent unfortunate events and keep boaters safe.”

Conservation officers spent the holiday and surrounding days ensuring boaters were sober and responsibly operating their watercraft. This included an emphasis on preventing drownings by enforcing life jacket requirements aboard vessels.

“We were focused on boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement along with making sure people had the proper safety gear on board while they were enjoying the beautiful weather,” said Conservation Officer Anna Cullen, who patrols Muskegon County.

Leading up to the holiday weekend, the DNR promoted its participation in Operation Dry Water — a national sober boating campaign.

A Portage Lake resident personally thanked Conservation Officer Todd Thorn after he and Conservation Officer Katie Baker arrested a drunk boater. According to the resident, the boater “almost caused several accidents” in front of his house.

When the boat operator saw the DNR vessel approaching, he drove away at high speeds, weaving between other boats in the slow, no-wake channel.

Once the officers stopped the boat, it was clear the 47-year-old operator was having a difficult time standing and speaking. After all passengers and the operator failed sobriety tests, Baker drove the boat and passengers safely back to shore and Thorn took the boat operator to jail for BUI. Thorn received the operator’s 0.179 blood alcohol content results later.

More than 145 conservation officers participated in Operation Dry Water patrols. The highest BAC recorded by the DNR during the heightened sober boating campaign was 0.2.